THE HARTZELL FAMILY

Thursday, August 30, 2012

This morning my toes are cold. The boys are back in school. I have my own "To do" list waiting for me. The boys are all signed up for hockey. Lessons begin soon.

Summer is waning. Autumn is approaching.

As I look back at photos of our adventures this summer, I smile. We had some wonderful times. Nothing earth shaking (except that Erik traveled to Ethiopia in July!) But we were together - Jim, Erik, William and I.

We began our summer with a trip to Glacier Park - our favorite place to roam...

Our last trip of the summer found us in British Colombia.Stunningly beautiful.

At Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia,Erik and William loved the swimming and diving. I finished two books.

Now we spring into a new season.(Sorry for the cheesy pun...I just couldn't resist!)And I offer thanks to our God for the beautiful, special, often routine, together moments He gave us this summer.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

In a blog I love to read, A Holy Experience (see my Blog List to the right), we were given the chance to write something about our mothers and post it through the 1,000 Moms Project that will help mothers and children in Haiti. This is what I wrote:

"My mother...Patricia...the gifts she has given me are endless. She taught me to love beautiful things like flowers, music, books, and most importantly, Jesus Christ. She is a woman of prayer, of faith, of generosity and grace. Her smile lights up her face and brightens anyone's day. On Mother's Day 2012, I thank God for my mom - a gracious, beautiful woman of God."

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

William celebrated his 10th Birthday with a NERF party.We learned that NERF stands for "Non-Expanding Recreational Foam"How's that for trivial trivia?!

William played goalie for his In-House Hockey team last week. He loved playing that position!

~Valentine's Day ~ Jim and I celebrated at home with King Crab Legs, fresh strawberries and a wonderful salad. The tulips were from my husband. (Sigh)

Lent begins. I set out our Easter reminders....our favorite being Benjamin's Box...a book and a treasure box containing small objects that tell the Easter Story...straw from the manger, a thorny branch, dice for gambling, traitior coins, a nail...

Music still fills our home daily. Will practices piano. Erik plays the drums.Right now I am learning a Bach Cantata and a Mahler Symphony.I am thankful for the gift of music!

Number 9! I love to see him bust out onto the ice! Erik's Varsity season will soon come to a close for the year. Montana State Tournament is just days away.

Christmas 2010 is over. I spent the day yesterday "putting Christmas away". That meant taking down all the decorations around the house...emptying the remaining candy from the stockings (along with empty candy wrappers!)...and replacing each ceramic figure from our Nativity set in its styrofoam bed for another 11 months. As I put decorations away, my mind replayed the laughter and joy that filled our house this Christmas. All our children except Bethany, Tanner and Ty, were able to be home for the holiday. My Dad drove out from North Dakota to be with us as well. There was much music making, cookie baking, last minute shopping and non stop talking in our home. We also enjoyed a few Christmas movies all together.

Our New Year was spent at the hockey rink just down the hill from us. Erik played in a High School tournament which Missoula hosted. That meant parents had to volunteer for many jobs. I learned to do the score sheet and run a penalty box! We are never to old to learn new skills. The tournament was great fun and Erik's team won the championship! I will post a few pictures in a day or so.

Now I turn my attention to music...preparing for two Symphony concerts. Our table is full of stacks of music waiting to be placed into folders: Bizet...Copland....Tschaikovsky...Beethoven...Holst...quite an variety!

...and I hear the weather man has predicted more snow tonight. Let it snow!!!!

About Me

Thankful. I am so very thankful for the beautiful graces in my life...my amazing husband (of 30 years); Six creative, unique children; a sweet, beautiful daughter-in- law; two marvelous sons-in-law; a precious granddaugher who calls me "Nana"; and another granddaughter born March 12th - Molly Joydelle.
I am thankful for beautiful friends...thankful for the gift of music...thankful I get to live in the mountains...and most of all, thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Peter & Amanda

Peter and Amanda just bought a new house which they have completely remoded. They are the happy parents of 3 dogs. They also have a garden and chickens! Peter works with Jim at Storage Solutions and plays music whenever he can. Amanda works as a personal assistant to a business woman. She just graduated with an English degree.! Congratulations, Amanda!!

Bethany and Tanner

Our son-in-law, Tanner joined our family over 4 years ago. What a joy!! Tanner works for Every Home for Christ in Colorado Springs. Bethany is now working on finishing her college degree online as she cares for their daughter, Tyler Elizabeth....born October 2009

Our first Grandchild - Tyler Elizabeth Joy

October 7th Tyler turned 2 years old. She is a complete JOY!

Melissa & Joshua

Melissa and Josh just graduated from Bible School in Kansas City. They now begin their adventure of life together - what a journey it will be!

Monica

Monica recently finished a 6 month internship which culminated in an amazing trip to Hong Kong. Now she continues her studies in Colorado while staying involved with the Prayer Corps at Every Home for Christ.

Erik

A Junior in high school....Erik is a great young man to have in our family! His passions are hockey, golf, people and drums.

William

The delight of our 50s - William! He is now in the fourth grade. William lives life to the fullest. His insatiable curiosity causes him to ask countless questions of us everyday. His latest intriguing question: " Hey, Dad....What is Corporate Espionage?" What brought THAT to his mind?